Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 174 - 98: Proactively Understanding Yongzhou, Where Human, Disaster, and Demon Calamities All Exist

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Wu Sheng took a sip of wine and said, "You don't know, our Yunlu County is not peaceful. All around, if it's not demons appearing, it's the Huang Tian Sect causing uprisings. It's only the county town of Yongzhou that's the most stable."

Yunlu County?

Shen Qing knew a thing or two about the administrative regions of the Great Zhou.

The Great Zhou was divided into nine counties, each governing several cities.

Yunlu County was one of the nine counties, comprising eight cities with a population of twenty million, making it a large county.

He never imagined that Taiping County's troubles were quite common in Yunlu County.

"Brother Shen, do you know what's most important in the current world? It's the word 'safety!' The people around here see Yongzhou is stable and flock over, and now Yongzhou is overcrowded. It's not easy to make a living."

"In many places in the outer city shantytowns, there is already a shortage of food, and people have started to starve to death."

"If that was all, it would be fine. The problem is, with more people in Yongzhou, the demons around can smell it and secretly sneak over here. There are a few that are very powerful. If this continues, I'm afraid Yongzhou will also fall into chaos."

"That's why I say, Brother Shen, it's not a good time to come to Yongzhou now."

"..." Shen Qing was speechless. He didn't expect that after traveling a thousand miles, this was what Yongzhou was like.

He asked, "I've heard that Yongzhou has many great masters holding the fort. Even if demons appear in Yongzhou, they can't escape their eyes. They can't stir up trouble, right?"

Having had a few sips of wine, Wu Sheng showed signs of intoxication and began to talk more.

Seeing Shen Qing was intrigued by the contents he revealed, Wu Sheng eagerly continued to speak.

These were things everyone knew anyway.

"You're right." Taking another sip to moisten his throat, he said, "The geographical location of the county town is too important for the court to ignore. Five or six Innate Martial Masters have been dispatched. Not to mention, Yongzhou itself has thirteen prominent families with masters gathered. If the situation becomes uncontrollable, they may send figures of the Spirit Void Realm or Primordial Spirit Realm afterward."

"But... what's the use?"

Shen Qing frowned.

Logically, having people with high cultivation around should be somewhat helpful. How could it be of no use?

But thinking about the way the Great Zhou officials did things, he suddenly felt uncertain.

Wu Sheng continued, "No matter how powerful these great figures are, they protect the Ji family's state and the bigwigs' safety. As for those demons that appear suddenly and vanish unpredictably, where do these bigwigs have the time to tail these demons all day? Ultimately, it falls on the minor officials at the bottom."

"So, Brother Shen, how could all the demons be slain? Could they not stir up trouble?"

Shen Qing agreed deeply and nodded, "That's indeed the case."

"So, actually, the current Yongzhou is afflicted by both human and demon calamities. Given the current situation, going there now would indeed be a bit difficult for Brother Shen."

"Thank you, Brother Wu, for the guidance. Given the circumstances, we can only take it one step at a time." Shen Qing clasped his hands in gratitude.

"It's not really guidance. It's just common knowledge in Yongzhou." Wu Sheng took the wine pouch and gulped down a big mouthful, asking, "Brother Shen, I see you're full of Qi and blood. Have you practiced?"

"I have practiced some fist and foot techniques," Shen Qing calmly replied.

Since the other party had already seen it, there was nothing to hide.

Martial Arts were essential to use. It wouldn't become ineffective just because it was exposed.

"Have you condensed your Qi Sea?"

Shen Qing frowned, feeling Wu Sheng was asking too much, "No."

Wu Sheng patted Shen Qing on the shoulder and laughed, "Brother Shen, don't mind me. I just happen to have some methods here to help people break through to the Qi Hai Realm. I make some small money from it, so I was just asking."

"You have methods to break through to the Qi Hai Realm?"

"Yes, but it will be very expensive." Wu Sheng added, "Brother Shen, you know the Great Zhou Court controls the Martial Mechanism, Wish Power Pearls, Refining Pearl Techniques—these are all in their hands. But where there's a policy from above, there are countermeasures from below."

"Many officials want three wives and four concubines, beautiful houses, and grand residences, but their official salaries are lacking, so this gives us chances."

Shen Qing's heart was stirred, gaining interest in this avenue and asked further, "What can you say about this?"

Wu Sheng leaned forward and whispered, "Brother Shen, you know this is a matter that costs your head, so the price will be a bit high. Generally speaking, one Wish Power is five hundred taels, and the Refining Pearl Technique is a one-time fee of one thousand five hundred taels."

"Hiss..."

Shen Qing drew in a sharp breath.

The expense far exceeded his imagination.

"There's no help for it. Wish Power Pearls are hard to come by. The average official gets just one a year. Higher-ranking officials can obtain more, but they have close ties with each boss, so those below can't interfere."

After hearing this, Shen Qing remained silent.

If he remembered correctly, he seemed to possess a Wish Power Pearl, which he had taken from the Taiping County Magistrate.

He hadn't realized it was worth so much.

Five hundred taels would be enough to buy a large house in Taiping County.

Shen Qing's hand instinctively wanted to touch that appointment document, suddenly feeling its weight as heavy as a thousand catties.

According to Wu Sheng's calculation, joining the court would instantly save him close to two thousand taels in expenses.

"Brother Shen, what do you think? Do you have any thoughts?"

Shen Qing collected his thoughts and replied with an utterly honest expression, "I have no money."

"..." Wu Sheng's expression froze.

After a moment, he regained his composure and said, "Brother Shen, you are really... honest. Never mind, there's always a way to earn money in the future. I see Brother Shen as a capable person."

"Thanks for your kind words, Brother Wu."

Wu Sheng sighed, "Nowadays, for some unknown reason, the more demons are slain, the more there seem to be. There's even a rumor among the populace that it's the doing of the current emperor and the Ji family. Whether the rumor is true or false is irrelevant. One thing is certain: this newly emerged demon will coexist with us humans for a while."

"Remember, demons like to eat humans. If we don't want to become their food, we can only strive to improve our cultivation and strength."

Shen Qing immediately grew serious.

"Alright, I've made you listen to my prattle for so long. I won't torture your ears anymore. Besides, we still have more than a day's journey left, so we can continue chatting later. I'll rest first."

With that, Wu Sheng picked up his wine pouch, stood up, and returned to his group.

He looked at Shen Qing, who appeared deep in thought, with a satisfied expression.

He could see that Shen Qing was full of Qi and blood, with a faintly sharp aura. He was likely a Martial Master of the Qi Cultivation Realm.

Judging by the look earlier, his words seemed to have touched Shen Qing's soul.

This deal was likely to happen in the future, assuming he had the money.

Thinking of this, Wu Sheng felt quite content, leaning back in the haystack to rest.

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